Topic: Official THQ Auction Results (Studios and IPs)

[shingi_70]

To All THQ Employees:

We now have the answers we've been seeking through our financial restructuring and
Chapter 11 case. While much will be written, here are the facts of the bids and auction
that occurred:

Yesterday morning, we received a competing bid for the operating business,
along with Clearlake's offer, and numerous offers for separate assets.
During an auction process that lasted over 22 hours, the final conclusion was
that the separate-asset bids would net more than a single buyer for the majority
of the company.

Shortly, we will, present the results to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, which must
concur with our assessment.

The proposed sales of multiple assets is as follows :
Sega agreed to purchase Relic
Koch Media agreed to purchase Volition and Metro
Crytek agreed to purchase Homefront
Take 2 agreed purchase Evolve [Nirolak's Note: Turtle Rock of Left 4 Dead fame's game] and
Ubisoft agreed to purchase Montreal [Nirolak's Note: Patrice's game and perhaps Volition Montreal] and South Park
We expect these sales to close this week.
[Nirolak's Note: Vigil didn't make it.]

Some assets, including our publishing businesses and Vigil, along with some other
intellectual properties are not included in the sale agreements. They will remain part of
the Chapter 11 case. We will make every effort to find appropriate buyers, if possible.

What this means for employees

We expect that most employees of the entities included in the sale will be offered
employment by the new owners. However, we cannot say what these owners may
intend, and there will likely be some positions that will not be needed under the
new ownership. You should receive notice this week or early next week if the new
owners intend to extend employment to you. Please note that the terms of your new
employment, including pay and benefits, may be different from the current terms of
your employment with THQ.

If you are an employee of an entity that is not included in the sale, we regret that
your position will end. A small number of our headquarters staff will continue to be
employed by THQ beyond January 25 to assist with the transition. THQ has sufficient
resources to pay these employees for work going forward, and we will be contacting
these employees immediately to ensure their continued employment during this
transition period. We are requesting the ability to offer certain severance pay to
minimize disruption for employees of non-included entities as they determine the next
steps in their careers.

We know you will have many questions about this news. We'll be meeting tomorrow
when we return to talk through this announcement and to answer any questions you
have. You will receive a benefits fact sheet and FAQs with answers to some questions
that may be on your mind. Please review these materials closely.

A personal note

The work that you all have done as part of the THQ family is imaginative, creative,
artistic and highly valued by our loyal gamers. We are proud of what we have
accomplished despite today's outcome.

It has been our privilege to work alongside the entire THQ team. While the company
will cease to exist, we are heartened that the majority of our studios and games will
continue under new ownership. We were hoping that the entire company would remain
intact, but we expect to hear good news from each of the separate entities that will be
operating as part of new organizations.

For those THQ employees who are part of entities that are not included in the sale, we
are confident that the talent you have displayed as part of THQ will be recognized as you
take the next steps in your career.

Thank you all for your dedication and for sharing your talent with the THQ team. We
wish you the best of luck and hope you will keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Brian Farrell
Chief Executive Officer

Jason Rubin
President

Unclear what exactly was included in the purchase. Not sure if just the studio or the IP as well.


Sucks to Vigil and Darksiders gone. Was hoping that someone would pick it up as its a decent mid teir franchise.

[TJ Spyke]

The fate of Vigil and Darksiders are not known yet, so it's premature to say they are gone.

[shingi_70]

The fate of Vigil and Darksiders are not known yet, so it's premature to say they are gone.

Even if the studio gets picked in the coming weeks the majority of the staff will probably leave anyway. Its easier to find a new job now instead of waiting to see if you might be saved.

But yeah their is a faint glimmer of hope.


The funniest purchase is ubisaoft buying THQ Montreal since its headed by the creator director of the first three Assassin Creed games.

[Kytim89]

The fate of Vigil and Darksiders are not known yet, so it's premature to say they are gone.

Take Two bought Vigil and the Darksiders IP.


http://kotaku.com/5978425/thq-is-getting-sold-off-today++heres-everything-we-know




Relic EntertainmentMakers of Company of Heroes
Winning bidder: Sega, $26.6 million.
Backup: Zenimax Media, $26.3 million.THQ Montreal[/color]Makers of 1666 and Underdog, titles under development.
Winning bidder: Ubisoft, $2.5 million. No runner-up.Evolve[/color](title in development at Turtle Rock Studios)
Winning bidder: Take-Two Interactive, $10.894 million.
Backup: Turtle Rock Studios, $250,000.Volition, Inc.[/color]Maker of Saints Row
Winning bidder: Koch Media, $22,312,925.
Backup: Ubisoft, $5.4 million.Homefront[/color]Released 2011; due for a sequel.
Winning bidder: Crytek. $544,218.Metro[/color]Series; due for the sequel Metro: Last Light.
Winning Bidder: Koch Media, $5,877,551
Backup: Ubisoft: $5.175 million.South Park[/color]License; South Park: The Stick of Truth is due for release March 5.
Winning bidder: Ubisoft, $3,265,306[/font]

[shingi_70]

That's unconfirmed and it would have so in the Statement from Rubin.

Until official word is given I wouldn't be so sure.

[Kytim89]

That's unconfirmed and it would have so in the Statement from Rubin.

Until official word is given I wouldn't be so sure.

The source updated that Take Two did not buy Vigil and their IPs and that the studio is still standing on its own? Perhaps Nintendo could purchase them for cheap? The Darksiders series would make a fine edition to the Nintendo stable and since Vigil is based in Austin they could assist Retro with bigger games.

[TJ Spyke]

I am interested in what will happen to the WWE license. The rumor is that Take-Two and EA are the frontrunners for it.

[Soren]

Platinum wants Darksiders.


Also, RIP THQ. I will never forget all the hours I logged into WCW/NWO World Tour.

[Kytim89]

Platinum wants Darksiders.


Also, RIP THQ. I will never forget all the hours I logged into WCW/NWO World Tour.

I am fine with Nintendo or Platinum getting the studio.

[TJ Spyke]

The court approved the sale, with the auction totalling about $72 million and the final result being around $100 million (when including sales not part of the auction). THQ confirms that no one made a bid for Vigil Games, but they will continue trying to sell the studio, along with other assets and IPs. It's not confirmed if Platinum Games is actually interested in the Darksiders IP or if its just exploratory. It's also reported, though unconfirmed, that Take-Two Interactive has bought the WWE license.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/court-approves-thq-sale-6402885

[shingi_70]

You mean the IP the studio is gone.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/vigil-games-lead-combat-designer-stands-up-says-goodbye/

[TJ Spyke]

He may be assuming that, with people packing up under the assumption they are out of a job.

[shingi_70]

They are out of a job. Read the Jason Rubin letter above anyone besides a few headquarters staff was laid off today.


Even if THQ can find someone to take Vigil the sale wont be for a couple of weeks. Most of the talent will be gone by then.





Also you have to realize the talent is about to go elsewhere.

No third parties were interested in the Studio and noon of the Big three has a reason to buy them.

[TJ Spyke]

Some good news for those now former Vigil Games employees, Crytek is opening its first North American studio. It will be based in Austin, Texas (not in any of Vigil's builidings though) and be called Crytek USA. It will employ 36 former Vigil employees, including Vigil co-founder David Abrams as CEO of the studio.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/crytek-opens-american-studio-6403027

[shingi_70]

DAT Crytek Money. They just are opening studios everywhere.

Its much cheaper to start a new studio and grab the displaced talent than buying vigil.

[Louieturkey]

Sounds like Retro is picking up additional Vigil employees.

[TJ Spyke]

The next round of auctions to take care of all remaining THQ IP's will be on April 1. Initial bids will be submitted by April 1 with final bids by April 15. When the bidding is complete, THQ will present them to the court for approval and have the sales complete by mid-May. The IP's are grouped into 6 lots (I assume you have to bid on all IPs in a lot):

Lot 1: Red Faction

    Red Faction
    Red Faction Armageddon
    Red Faction 2
    Red Faction: Guerrilla

Lot 2: Homeworld

    Homeworld
    Homeworld 2

Lot 3: MX

    MX Alive
    MX vs ATV Untamed
    MX Superfly featuring Ricky Carmichael
    MX vs. ATV Alive Tournament
    MX Unleashed
    MX vs. ATV Unleashed
    MX vs ATV Reflex
    MX vs. ATV: On The Edge

Lot 4: Darksiders

    Darksiders
    Darksiders 2

Lot 5: Other Owned Software

    All Star Cheer Squad
    Elements of Destruction
    All Star Cheer Squad 2
    Fantastic Pets
    All Star Karate
    Frontlines: Fuel of War
    Baja: Edge of Control
    Full Spectrum Warrior 1
    Full Spectrum Warrior 2: Ten Hammers
    Battle of the Bands
    Beat City
    Juiced
    Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights
    Big Beach Sports
    Big Beach Sports 2
    Lock's Quest: Construction Combat
    Big Family Games
    Neighborhood Games
    Crawler
    Pax Imperia
    de Blob
    de Blob 2
    Stuntman: Ignition
    Summoner
    Summoner 2
    Deadly Creatures
    Deep Six
    Terranium
    Destroy All Humans!
    Destroy All Humans! 2
    Destroy All Humans! Big Willy Unleashed
    Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon
    The Outfit
    Titan Quest
    Titan Quest: Immortal Throne
    uDraw
    Dood's Big Adventure
    World of Zoo
    Drawn to Life
    Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter

Lot 6: Licensed Software

    Costume Quest
    Stacking
    Scripps Spelling Bee (Scripps)
    Daniel X (SueJack)
    Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Osborne House
    Deepak Chopra's Leela (Curious Holdings)
    Fancy Nancy: Tea Party Time! (Harper Collins)
    Supreme Commander
    Supreme Commander Forged Alliance
    Jeopardy
    Jeopardy 2
    The Biggest Loser
    Journey to the Center of the Earth
    Truth or Lies
    Let's Ride Best of Breed
    Vampire Legends: Power of Three (dtp)
    Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat
    Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet
    Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet 2
    Wheel of Fortune
    Wheel of Fortune 2
    World of Zoo
    Nancy Drew: The Hidden Staircase
    Worms 2
    Worms Battle Islands
    Worms Open Warfare
    Worms: A Space Oddity
    Worms: Open Warfare 2 (Team 17)
    Nexuiz
    Paws & Claws Marine Rescue
    Paws & Claws Pampered Pets Resort 3D
    PurrPals 2
    Rio
    You Don't Know Jack (Jellyvision)
    Rocket Riot
    Screwjumper (Frozen Codebase)

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-02-27-thq-auctioning-remaining-ip-on-april-1?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=us-daily

[BlackNMild2k1]

Nintendo should pick up
lot 4 (for obvious reasons)
&
Lot 5 for: De blob, Drawn to Life, uDraw, Deadly Creatures, Titan Quest and maybe few others to add some variety to Nintendo's lineup.

[shingi_70]

Could sew Microsoft buying lot sixz to get exclusive rights to Rocket Riot.

Nintendo would do well to pick up the the lot with Dr blob.

[oohhboy]

Titan Quest is an immensely boring game. There is nothing outright wrong with the game in the mechanical sense, but the fun factor is near zero. If one was to buy lot 5, they sure the hell not buying it for Titan Quest.

[Louieturkey]

Sounds like Double Fine wants THQ to break out their games in the bundle so they can buy the rights that THQ has back.

[TJ Spyke]

Double Fine already owns the IP for Stacking and Costume Quest. They just want to get the distribution rights too (which they already own for the PC versions). I guess it's up to the stockholders to decide if they think they can get more money by selling Lot 5 together or by breaking it up.

[Fatty The Hutt]

Either way, I just want more Costume Quest! Love that game.
Stacking was good, too.

[pokepal148]

nintendo needs more western support tho

[TJ Spyke]

So the results of round 2 of auctions have been published.

For $4.9 million, Nordic Games (owned by JoWooD Entertainment) have bought Darksiders, Red Faction, MX vs. ATV, Destroy All Humans!, Summoner, and Supreme Commander. Crytek USA, made up of mostly former employees of Darksiders developer Vigil Games had express interest in buying Darksiders.


505 Games bought Drawn to Life for $300,000

Gearbox Software bought Homeworld for $1.35 million

I can't find verification of whether or not Nordic Games gets the other games in those lots or just these specific IPs.